Music Business News: Japan
News ASOBISYSTEM calls the launch its biggest spending yet in North America, and a permanent base for J-pop acts it has been sending on tour across the US. Analysis News Michael Jackson's Thriller album was Sony's biggest-selling artist project around the world in calendar Q2 2026, boosted by the Michael biopic movie News Exceleration will manage and collect income from Sakamoto's rights outside Asia, while NexTone will handle the catalog within Japan. News Until now, only songwriters, composers and music publishers were paid when their music was played as background music in Japanese venues. News Warner is positioning Hong Kong artist Gareth.T as a proof point, with his single 'Glass' generating more than 250 million streams in its first month. News Grainge delivered remarks at an official gala for Music Awards Japan, according to UMG. News Melon will upload congratulatory video messages from artists including NCT Taeyong, Le Sserafim, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and AND2BLE ahead of the launch. News Live entertainment was the primary growth driver, supported by arena-scale touring activity and expanding international fan engagement.